INDIANAPOLIS — — Matt Ryan saved the religion Sunday.
Because the 37-year-old quarterback appeared across the huddle, he sensed his Indianapolis Colts teammates would discover a option to make some massive performs late. Finally, with just a little assist from the Kansas Metropolis protection, they did.
Ryan capped a masterfully managed last drive by discovering rookie Jelani Woods on a 12-yard landing go with 24 seconds left for a 20-17 comeback win over the Chiefs. It was Ryan’s first victory with the Colts — sealed by Rodney McLeod Jr.’s interception with 2 seconds to go.
“Typically you could have a recreation the place it’s simply not proper and it’s a must to tighten issues up, however you may’t be uptight,” Ryan mentioned, referring to final week’s shutout loss at Jacksonville. “You need to be unfastened sufficient to consider we’re going to make these performs.”
Whereas this one definitely wasn’t fairly and, at occasions, was downright ugly, the Colts (1-1-1) nonetheless managed to snap a four-game winless streak that dated to final season’s last two video games. Indy appeared listless in all 4.
This time, the protection stymied Patrick Mahomes & Co., giving up only a area purpose within the second half and two touchdowns following turnovers in Colts territory. The offense, in the meantime, did simply sufficient to make the most of some uncharacteristic Chiefs miscues.
And when it mattered most, Ryan was at his finest. He completed 27 of 37 for 222 yards regardless of getting sacked 5 occasions and shedding two fumbles. And he discovered Woods twice for touchdowns. The primary gave Indy its first lead of the season and the second, wrestled away by Woods, gave Indy the win.
“That’s the participant we anticipate Jelani to be,” coach Frank Reich mentioned. “He’s an enormous man and he’s quick. You can see his development within the offseason and through coaching camp. He’s simply continued to get higher.”
The Chiefs (2-1) helped out, too.
An unsportsmanlike conduct name on defensive sort out Chris Jones following a third-down sack prolonged Indy’s last drive with lower than 5 minutes to play. Ryan wasn’t certain what drew the penalty. Referee Shawn Smith later defined it was for abusive language.
Chiefs kicker Matt Ammendola missed an additional level within the first half and a 34-yard area purpose simply earlier than Ryan led the decisive drive. Ammendola was changing an injured Harrison Butker.
Plus there was a faux area purpose that resulted in a turnover on downs.
Nonetheless, the Chiefs seemed to be in management after Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 1-yard TD run and Travis Kelce’s 2-point conversion catch made it 14-10 late within the first half.
However after three third-quarter area objectives gave the Chiefs a 17-13 lead, they didn’t rating once more and couldn’t cease the Colts on the ultimate 16-play, 76-yard drive that took practically 8 1/2 minutes. Mahomes then threw his first interception of the season.
“Everytime you’re taking part in a tricky recreation like this one, it’s a must to execute at a excessive degree,” Mahomes mentioned. “Our schedule will get no simpler, so we’ve to get higher shortly. If we don’t, the Ls are going to begin piling up.”
EXCHANGING WORDS
Mahomes wasn’t pleased with the play-calling on the finish of the primary half and because the Chiefs walked off the sphere, he let offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy find out about it. The two exchanged words on the sphere earlier than coach Andy Reid stepped between them.
“I wished to go and try to rating,” Mahomes mentioned. “We have been in a tricky place and the sensible factor was to go to halftime. I informed him (Bieniemy) to let me have an opportunity at it after which he mentioned, ‘Let’s simply get again to the locker room and get one thing going for the second half.’”
INJURY REPORT
Chiefs: Reid mentioned there have been no vital accidents Sunday, although proper sort out Andrew Wylie and security Bryan Prepare dinner each left the sport briefly.
Colts: Security Julian Blackmon (left ankle) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) each left within the first half. Gilmore returned, Blackmon didn’t.
STAT PACK
Chiefs: Mahomes fell to 13-3 in September whereas going 20 of 35 for 262 yards with one TD. He was additionally the Chiefs’ high rusher with 4 carries for 26 yards. … Kelce caught 4 passes for 58 yards and one TD along with the conversion catch. … JuJu Smith-Schuster had 5 catches for 89 yards.
Colts: Ryan has fumbled seven occasions this season — the fifth-highest single-season whole of his profession. He is additionally been sacked 12 occasions. … Jonathan Taylor rushed 21 occasions for 71 yards and had three receptions for 20 yards. … Michael Pittman Jr. had eight catches for 72 yards and rookie Alec Pierce caught three passes for 61 yards, together with a key first down on Indy’s last drive.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Go to Tampa Bay to tackle Tom Brady subsequent Sunday night time.
Colts: Host Tennessee subsequent Sunday in a key AFC South showdown.
——
